Perennials?

[Snadger]

I know Hardy Annuals flower the same year as sowing (unless it's the strain of sweet pea I've grown)! and biennials flower the second year.

My question is: Do the majority of perennial flowers grown from seed, flower the first year?

[Alice]

Some perennials grown from seed will flower in the first year Snadger if you get them started early enough. The more usual way is to put off planting until danger of frost is past and grow them on over the summer to flower in the second year. Some won't flower until they have reached a certain stage of maturity and might take longer. Were you thinking about anything in particular ?

[andrewo]

Some perennials will flower in the first year, cottage garden favourites like lupins will but it is advised to cut off the flowers on perennials in their first year, so the young plants will concentrate on growing a root system. Dahlias, a perennial, though not hardy will flower in abundance in the first year and work well from seed.

[Snadger]

Some perennials grown from seed will flower in the first year Snadger if you get them started early enough. The more usual way is to put off planting until danger of frost is past and grow them on over the summer to flower in the second year. Some won't flower until they have reached a certain stage of maturity and might take longer. Were you thinking about anything in particular ?

Quite a few really Alice!!!

Thats the reason I'm asking as I intend to try to grow all my cut flowers this year and my seed list has a lot of perennials in it.

The Perennials seeds I was thinking of buying are:

1) Aqualegia
2) Carnation (Giants Chaband)
3) Catananche (Amor white)
4) Echinacea
5) Monardia Didya (Bergamot) Mmmmmmm Earl grey!!!!
6) Pyrethrum

Annuals

1) Helichrysum
2) Gypsophilia
3) Aster (Giants of California)
4) Chrysanthemum
5) Nasturtium (Whirly Bird mixed)

On top of the above I will have the numerous chrysanthemum cuttings in four colours that i have indoors now, more Gladiioli and some Carnations which are flowering now and which I hope to nurse through the winter and take pipings!


You did ask!

[nick the grief]

Hi Snadger,

1) Aqualegia - would do but best treat it like Andrew says
2) Carnation (Giants Chaband) - mine did this year & they are still in plug trays!!!
3) Catananche (Amor white) -Never tried but they do look nice
4) Echinacea -I would have thought they will be better next year
5) Monardia Didya (Bergamot) Mmmmmmm Earl grey!!!! - Never grown it
6) Pyrethrum - Same as Echinacea

Annuals

1) Helichrysum
2) Gypsophilia
3) Aster (Giants of California)
4) Chrysanthemum
5) Nasturtium (Whirly Bird mixed)

All of these will be OK whch Chrysanthemum are you growing? if it's the ones that look like sprays they'll want sowing really early to get big enough to flower, if it's the one's like big daisies you'll be OK

[Snadger]

Thanks all for your replies!

Nick - Its the Chrysanths like big daisies, but did hope that I would be able to take cuttings of the nicest ones and keep them going, or are they true annuals and just die?

[nick the grief]

Thanks all for your replies!

Nick - Its the Chrysanths like big daisies, but did hope that I would be able to take cuttings of the nicest ones and keep them going, or are they true annuals and just die?

They are true Annuals Snadger, but you could save the seed off them I guess or try some cuttings, you've nowt to lose

[Alice]

Is it cut flowers you're after Snadger ? If it is Dahlias from seed will give you flowers in profusion in the first year. As will sweet peas (annual or perennial types) and carnations will if you get them started early. Nothing stands longer in a vase than carnations - and they smell great.
I'm looking at your list Snadger - all very nice, but some don't stand well once cut. Aquilegia will definately come for you, but not stand well in a vase. Likewise Nasturium. Nice and posy for a dinner party but dead in the morning. If it really is cut flowers you're after let me know and I can recommend some reliably "good standers" for you.

[nick the grief]

Snadger, have a look in the cheapo bookshops (( or the library) for Sarah Ravens grow your own Cut flowers thats good for what you want. Mine cost £5 as opposed to £20

http://www.tesco.com/books/product.aspx?R=0563534656

good lists etc in there.

Or you could go on the course with her

http://www.thecuttinggarden.com/html...ng&Product=464

[Snadger]

Is it cut flowers you're after Snadger ? If it is Dahlias from seed will give you flowers in profusion in the first year. As will sweet peas (annual or perennial types) and carnations will if you get them started early. Nothing stands longer in a vase than carnations - and they smell great.
I'm looking at your list Snadger - all very nice, but some don't stand well once cut. Aquilegia will definately come for you, but not stand well in a vase. Likewise Nasturium. Nice and posy for a dinner party but dead in the morning. If it really is cut flowers you're after let me know and I can recommend some reliably "good standers" for you.

Thanks Alice, I 've grown dahlia from seed and even overwintered the corms but the flowers don't last and are usually half dead before I get them home! There's just something about dahlia's that doesn't sit right, maybe it's because they are too easy to grow! I haven't given up on the sweet peas and might try them again if I can be bothered to erect something for them to climb on, tried the dwarf varieties and don't like em! Carnations are a deffo! I've grown aqualegia before and just think they are nice delicate flowers so will be a nice splash of colour even if left in ground!
The nasturtiums and asters are more for complimentary planting among my veg.
My list isn't cast in stone yet though, in fact it is a whittled down version, so your recommendations for "good standers" would still be hiighly appreciated !

[nick the grief]

Nigella - the plant not the posh bit of totty that can cook my roasties anytime she wants.

Also, Johnsons do a range of seed that are perennials that will flower in there 1st year.

As to Dahlia's the trick is to give them a really good drink the night before then cut them 1st thing in a morning. They don't last as long as Chrysanths but they produce sooooo many it doesn't really matter.

I usually stick to smalls or miniatures as they don't suffer with weather damage like the bigger ones. Hava a look at out lottie or the chrysanth club website for some names.

[Alice]

Hello Snadger, sorry to be so long getting back to you But flowers that stand well when cut are
Daffodils - how could you be without them
Tulips - come nice and early
Gladioli - quite striking
Dahlias - watch out for earwigs
Bergenia - stands forever if you can get it to grow for you
Nerines - likewise
Astrantia - looks great mixed with purple geranium or knautia
Sweet peas - a must
Roses - climbing on a wall or fence. If you have a spot south facing, Morning Jewel will give you hundreds all summer long, and fabulous scent.
Autumn flowering sedums - stand forever and dry well
Lilies
Lysimachia Clethroides - the white one with a flower like a duck's head.

Hope that gives you something to put on your list for consideration. Good luck with the project.